CPPD - Reconsideration Stage

CPP Disability
1

First application March 2023 that was denied. Has anyone been in my shoes? Dr. Noted on original application that I could likely return to work possibly in the future but not at full capacity, modified, on my own in my own business. Medical condition will last over a year and will continue to remain the same. She checked off return to work 12-24 months. She did not advise me to stop work but noted that I had been terminated from my medical condition symptoms. Like many people who do get denied I didn’t submit medical evidence except a couple prior applications that required her to fill out the medical forms such as DTC and RAP-D (Repayment Assistance Program for Disabilities) Canadian Student Loan Financial Assistance. That said I failed to do my homework prior to submitting my application.

Back story; In 2022 I had been terminated from multiple jobs due to my medical condition, part time employment. One of those positions I was apprenticing but paid as an employee. That Nov. I decided I needed to work on my own because my work itself is good I just needed to do it on my own terms. I registered for a disability program funded by the government to help with the business planning process. The online class ended that March 2023 and I never finished my assignment to move forward. That’s when I applied for CPPD. Since then however I never stopped business planning, to date I have been passed through other disability programs and other organizations to help me with my business plan. Close to 10 business advisors I have been through and I still have not completed my business plan. I have asked for help so many times to help me organize my work. That’s another story to be had. When I tell you I have worked non stop day in and day out trying to figure it out I’m not kidding. Because of this my health and quality of life has deteriorated. I am chasing my tail constantly. I got a letter from one advisor in April 2024 to confirm she is liazoning with me to help with my business plan, but not long after she passed me on to another advisor. My business plan is still incomplete as of today all though I have made every effort to complete it to the point it ended up being 157 pages. I am sick to my stomach.

I have had the MLA intervene to submit documents that highlight the business planning struggles and challenges that were suppose to help me start my own business so I could work on my own. It’s going on 24 months that my Dr. had hoped to see me back to work but I haven’t even come close to completing the plan. I submitted all my medical history records I could find that I never submitted prior. I have been medicated consistently since 2018, 6 medications to find the one I currently am on which is a very high dosage prescribed by a psychiatrist in 2020. I also submitted the medication history for the related conditions which has been 4 all together in conjunction.

I highlighted the applications for other programs which I was approved for where my dr clearly checked off moderate to severe , patient needs help substantially all the time, patient is unable to perform these tasks by themselves or inordinate amount of time.

Another medical application she checked off cognitive, mental, learning, communication. Remainder of expected life. Work tolerance, cognitive/ perceptual and mental.

I submitted my psychiatrist formal dagnosis in 2020 and recently updated my family dr. confirming diagnosis in June 2024. I am now waiting on a psychiatrist appointment as of the last week.

I dropped out of school in grade 10 and tried online courses throughout the years. In 2021 I went back to school and received a diploma that I was holding back for many years because I was scared I wouldn’t complete. After Inhad my daughter I in 2016 I wanted more for her that I could give her on my own that’s why I began managing my medical condition in 2018 so I could go back to school and become something more. But this is where I am at and I feel like a complete failure and my confidence has never been so low but I hide it from everyone.

Any way I am over 90 days since the medical adjudicator has had my case with one active submission still showing. Last time I called to check on the status the agent was really nice although there was a note for me to stop calling so frequently they know they have my case and that I am waiting. lol.

Anyone been in this situation

2

Hi,

The criteria for CPPD are severe and prolonged disability, to the extent that you can’t earn the minimum of around $19,000. I know it’s incredibly difficult emotionally to admit to yourself that you can’t, but that is what you need to be able to convey to CPPD in your application and since that’s still where you are stuck after two years of trying I think it’s a valid claim. I would get a free copy of David Brannen’s book on applying for CPPD from his office and read through it before re-applying/appealing so that you and your doctor understand what you need to explain to CPPD.

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Thank you for replying. They would be able to confirm that through my contributions and estimated benefit I assumed? The last 5 years were confirmed drop in years and prior to those years not much has changed.

4

No, that would confirm that you did not earn that much, not that you COULD NOT earn that much. You could’ve just been on holiday. You need to put together a narrative explaining the development of your condition, your attempts to keep working, your multiple terminations due to your condition, and how your condition prevents you from being able to perform a job. David’s book goes into more detail.

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Thank you for the clarification in regards to income earned.

Highlighted medical notes, emails and explanations in summary on the CPPD application which I submitted in this current stage

CPPD application highlighted notes:

To work in 12-24 months;
“This was based on the understanding that self-employment might offer a more flexible and accommodating work environment, but not at full capacity.
Despite her best efforts over 1 year and the support of various government disability program resources, xxxx has not been able to make significant progress in her business planning. The continued stress and lack of tangible results have only exacerbated her mental health conditions, making it clear that self-employment is not currently a feasible option for her.”

Some of the Emails between advisor and xxxx;

“Here is an email thread during the Zzzz program, xxxx is expressing her struggles and challenges she is facing trying her best to complete the program in time. Xxxx also shares her emotional state of being to the advisor, also sharing how the stress and anxiety is causing hair loss.”

“In this email and above meeting link you see that Xxxx was redirected to another advisor to help in the business planning who specializes in ADHD. Soon after Xxxx was tossed over to the yyyy organization to seek guidance from another advisor”.

“This is a letter xxxx requested from her advisor at zzzz. The letter states xxxx involvement with the business programs, 1 hour once a week for 12 weeks. xxxx pleaded for help in an email to this advisor stating her mental health cannot take anymore as it was worsening through these programs she had been advised to participate in for business planning” The letter was is intended to confirm she is still trying.

“xxxx doctor noted in the medical records for her CPPD application that she envisions xxxx potentially working independently in her own business, albeit not at full capacity, in the future. As indicated here, xxxx continues to face challenges in completing her business plan, which is necessary for launching her business.”

Medication record: a small note from the medication’s history

“Xxxx has relied on her practitioner’s support for medication to manage her anxiety, depression… Her ADHD significantly interferes with her daily life and work tolerance, making it challenging to function normally and “maintain employment”. This impact extends to her mental health, necessitating ongoing management for depression and anxiety.”

Letter: some notes for reference

“ I have been terminated from multiple jobs due to difficulties with time management, distraction, maintaining focus and organizational skills.”

These are just some notes highlighted explaining how I have tried to participate with my best efforts to gain substantial income on my own and how it interferes with managing my medical conditions and my ability to maintain work. But I have ADHD and my interpretation may not be the same as the medical Adjudicator’s.

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I am no expert but I think the problem might be the focus on trying to work (which suggests that you think you can work) rather than explaining why you can’t in a straightforward manner.

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@Caro, I downloaded David’s book. In my opinion I feel I followed the criteria he discusses. Keep in mind I did explain in a letter how I have had to come to terms that my medical condition interferes with my daily activities and work tolerances when requesting for a reconsideration. The problem is I don’t have a copy of exactly what I said. I understand I can request a copy of my file but at this point there’s no point.

It’s a catch 22 because they want you to try to work in other ways and prove it but then again if you try to hard it shows you can do any kind of job. There is not one piece of medical history that says “I don’t struggle” In fact back in 2020 in 2 medical reports it clearly states that I said I struggle staying focused, easily distracted and difficulty staying on track. How I want to study so I can work from home but I fail because I don’t complete the courses I buy. Also goes on to say how I struggled to stay in school because of ADHD symptoms and how I have problems reading books because I can’t remember what I read.

Now that I think of it I don’t have any of the Dr. Notes from 2018-2020, except medication and the Dr notes from his replacement who referred me to the Psychiatrist. Regardless not knowing then I would be applying for CPPD and didn’t even know it was a thing until I came across it in 2023 all of my history aligns and I have followed all my Drs recommendations, including trying to be self employed, but unfortunately that’s not even an option.

The reason I share trying to start my journey business planning challenges is yes I want to be successful but yet it proves the reality for me in the real world. It shows I have l tried for years and failed.

The stress of the matter now is that I have never tried so hard to fight ADHD knowing exactly what I am up against that it’s caused Hyperhidrosis and Bromhidrosis, stress induced sweat from ADHD stress which I started treatment for in 2023, that is also documented and submitted to Service Canada. I explained how it affects social interactions.

I do hope I do get a call from Service Canada so I can explain better my situation in certain situations to have a better understanding.

Edited: In psychiatry notes from 2020 my Dr. also noted that I had a hard time keeping up with the workload in an online course which I didn’t complete.